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Theatre

Theatre

Theatre Major

Students majoring in Theatre are required to take a minimum of 15 courses: two outside the department and 13 from the Theatre Department as described below:

• THEA 203. Technical Production

• THEA 213. Technical Production Lab (2 credits)

• THEA 206. Introduction to World Dramatic Literature

• THEA 304. History of the Theater

• THEA 309. Performance and Modern Culture

and

• THEA 207. Actor Training I: Basic Processes

or THEA 225. Dance Technique I: Ballet

or THEA 226. Dance Technique I: Jazz

or THEA 227. Dance Technique I: Modern

or THEA 228. Dance Technique l: Tap

One upper-level design/technical course chosen from the following courses:

• THEA 246. Theatrical Make-Up Techniques

or THEA 340. Scene Design Workshop

or THEA 341. Stage Lighting

or THEA 342. Costume Design

or THEA 343. Costume Technology

or THEA 344. Sound Design

• The equivalent of 2 1/2 four-credit courses in technical theater practica (10 credits total) is required. Six of the 10 technical credits must be earned by working in the scene shop (THEP 270, 370 or 470) and costume shop (THEP 273, 373 or 473), with a minimum of two credit hours in each. (Therefore, this requirement may be satisfied by earning three credit hours in each shop or four credits in one and two credits in the other. It is also possible to earn two of the six credits by hanging and focusing lights [THEP 272, 372 or 472].) The remaining four of the 10 credits may be in any assignment that qualifies for technical practicum. Performance practica are granted for participation in performance assignments.

Note: Performance practica are numbered THEP 260-266, THEP 360-366 and THEP 460-466. Technical practica are numbered THEP 270-276, 370-376 and 470-476.

Additional Courses by Emphasis

Four 4-credit courses are required, depending on the student’s declared emphasis.

Acting/Directing Emphasis

• THEA 307. Intermediate Acting: Meisner

• THEA 308. Intermediate Acting: Scene Study

• THEA 310. Actor Training: Body Work

• THEA 311. Actor Training: Voice Work

Dance Emphasis

• One of THEA 225/226/227/228 that has not already been taken

• Two upper-level dance courses in their area of specialization (selected from THEA 325, 326, 327 or 328)

• THEA 322. Choreography I

or THEA 424. Dance Workshop for Performers

or THEA 220. Yoga for Actors and Dancers

Design/Technical Emphasis

• One of THEA 246/340/341/342/343/344 (upper-level tech) not already taken

• 4 credits of 300/400-level practicum as a design assistant/stage manager/assistant stage manager/assistant technical director on a mainstage practicum

• 8 credits of 400-level practica in student’s area of specialization

*Pass/Fail grading option is not acceptable for the 13 departmental courses taken to satisfy the theater major.

Courses Required Outside the Department of Theatre

The two courses required outside the Department of Theatre vary by area of emphasis as follows: (These courses may be taken Pass/Fail.)

Acting/Directing Emphasis

• MUS 101. Introduction to Music

or MUS 120. Music Theory for Non-Majors

or another music history or theory course (with approval of undergraduate adviser)

and one of the following:

• ENG 245. Shakespeare

• ENG 420. Topics in Drama

• ENG 422. Contemporary Drama

• CLAS 214. Greek Drama in Translation

• FREN 461. Topics in French Drama

Dance Emphasis

• MUS 101. Introduction to Music

and

• MUS 120. Music Theory for Non-Majors

or another music history or theory course (with approval of undergraduate adviser)

Design/Technical Emphasis

• ARTS 171. Drawing I

• ARTH 103. Introduction to Architecture

or an Art History survey course (with approval of undergraduate adviser)

Because of the broad flexibility of advanced course patterns, students are able to choose the theater subjects that best suit their interests and talents. Various samples of recommended sequences of courses are provided to help plan the student’s academic career. Supplemental courses covering other aspects of the field such as computers, musical theater, sound, MIDI, costumes, drama and theater history are also offered.

The department provides the following sequence of courses for various interests within each theater emphasis and an order in which it suggests they be taken. These sequences are not required and some of the courses are not required, but will help make the most of the student’s theater major.

Suggested Tracks Within the Acting/Directing Emphasis

Acting Sequence

Freshman

• 2 cr. Run Crew

• THEA 207. Actor Training I: Basic Processes

• THEA 203. Technical Production

• THEA 213. Technical Production Laboratory

• THEA 307. Intermediate Acting: Meisner

Sophomore

• 4 cr. Shop Practica

• THEA 206. Introduction to World Dramatic Literature

• THEA 308. Intermediate Acting: Scene Study I

• THEA 304. History of the Theater

• THEA 310. Actor Training: Body Work

• THEA 311. Actor Training: Voice Work

Junior

• 2 cr. Run Crew

• 2 cr. Shop Practica

• Upper-Level Tech

• THEA 410. Actor Training: Body and Voice/Scene Study

• THEA 309. Performance and Modern Culture

• Perform in one or more shows

Senior

• THEA 412. Advanced Topics in Acting: A, B and C

• Perform in one or more shows

• Another THEA 412 topic not already taken

Directing Sequence

Freshman

• 2 cr. Run Crew

• THEA 207. Actor Training I: Basic Processes

• THEA 206. Introduction to World Dramatic Literature

• THEA 203. Technical Production

• THEA 213. Technical Production Laboratory

Sophomore

• 4 cr. Shop Practica

• 2 cr. Run Crew

• English Dept. drama class

• THEA 307. Intermediate Acting: Meisner

• THEA 308. Intermediate Acting: Scene Study I

Junior

• THEA 309. Performance and Modern Culture

• THEA 310. Actor Training: Body Work

• THEA 311. Actor Training: Voice Work

• THEA 459. Directing

• MUS 101. Introduction to Music

or MUS 120. Music Theory for Non-Majors

or ENG 245. Shakespeare

Senior

• Directing Practica

• THEA 410. Actor Training: Body and Voice/Scene Study

• English Dept. drama class

• Asst. Direct Main Stage

Acting (Musical Theater) Sequence

Freshman

• THEA 207. Actor Training I: Basic Processes

• THEA 101. Introduction to Musical Theater

• 2 cr. Run Crew

• THEA 203. Technical Production

• THEA 213. Technical Production Laboratory

• THEA 287N. Techniques of Musical Theater

Sophomore

• THEA 307. Intermediate Acting: Meisner

• THEA 308. Intermediate Acting: Scene Study I

• 4 cr. Shop Practica

• THEA 225. Dance Technique I: Ballet

• THEA 206. Introduction to World Dramatic Literature

• THEA 387N. Techniques of Musical Theater II

• THEA 388R. 101 Repertory Company

• MUS 101. Introduction to Music

or MUS 120. Music Theory for Non-Majors

Junior

• 2 cr. Run Crew

• Upper-Level Tech

• 2 cr. Shop Practica

• THEA 325. Dance Technique II: Ballet

• THEA 228. Dance Technique I: Tap

• Perform in a musical

• THEA 304. History of the Theater

• THEA 487N. Techniques of Musical Theater III

Senior

• THEA 226. Dance Technique I: Jazz

• Perform in a musical

• THEA 310. Actor Training: Body Work

• THEA 311. Actor Training: Voice Work

• THEA 309. Performance and Modern Culture

Suggested Track Within the Design/Technical Emphasis

Design/Technical Sequence

Freshman

• THEA 207. Actor Training I: Basic Techniques

or THEA 225. Dance Technique I: Ballet

or THEA 226. Dance Technique I: Jazz

or THEA 227. Dance Technique I: Modern

or THEA 228. Dance Technique I: Tap

• 4 cr. Run Crew

• THEA 203. Technical Production

• THEA 213. Technical Production Laboratory

• English Dept. drama class

• THEA 206. Introduction to World Dramatic Literature

Sophomore

• 4 cr. Shop Practica

• Upper-level tech in area of interest

• ARTS 171. Drawing I

• THEA 304. History of the Theater

• ENG 245. Shakespeare

• 300/400 Practica (4 credits) as design assistant/assistant stage manager/stage manager/assistant technical director on the main stage

Junior

• THEA 309. Performance and Modern Culture

• 400-level Practica (4 credits)

• ARTH 103. Introduction to Architecture or an Art History survey course

• 2 cr. Shop Practica

Senior

• 400-level Practica (4 credits)

• Another upper-level tech not already taken

• Independent study or thesis in area of interest

Suggested Track Within the Dance Emphasis

Dance Sequence

Freshman

• THEA 225. Dance Technique I: Ballet

or THEA 226. Dance Technique I: Jazz

or THEA 227. Dance Technique I: Modern

or THEA 228. Dance Technique I: Tap

• 2 cr. Run Crew

• THEA 206. Introduction to World Dramatic Literature

• MUS 101. Introduction to Music

• THEA 321. Children’s Dance Theater

Sophomore

• Another THEA 225, 226, 227 or 228

• THEA 203. Technical Production

• THEA 213. Technical Production Laboratory

• THEA 304. History of the Theater

• MUS 120. Music Theory for Non-Majors

• 2 cr. Shop Practica

Junior

• 2 cr. Run Crew

• 2 cr. Shop Practica

• THEA 341. Stage Lighting

or

• THEA 244. Sound Design Workshop

• THEA 322. Choreography I

• THEA 220. Yoga for Actors and Dancers

• THEA 309. Performance and Modern Culture

• 300-level dance class

Senior

• THEA 422. Choreography II

or THEA 424. Dance Workshop for Performers

• 2 cr. Shop Practica

• 300-level dance class

Notes for Theatre Majors

The Department of Theatre views senior thesis as a reward for excellence in the student’s area of specialization. Students should discuss thesis availability with their advisers. Students are urged to declare their theater major at an early date. This will enable them to plan carefully their course of study with the director of undergraduate studies.

Honors Program

Departmental honors are awarded to senior majors who have completed a substantive body of significant work, in one or more areas of specialization, which meets exceptionally high standards. These students must have demonstrated consistently noteworthy motivation and development over a period of at least four semesters of participation in departmental activities.

A logical progression would be to do outstanding work in both semesters of the junior year and first semester of the senior year. During the latter term, the student would be nominated as suggested below, thereby bringing his or her work to the attention of those voting members unaware of his or her accomplishments to date and alerting them to be aware of the student’s endeavors during the upcoming term in which the deciding vote will be cast.

Students may be nominated for honors by individual faculty members or professional staff personnel (it is considered appropriate for students to have sought support and sponsorship from a member of the faculty or professional staff who would then nominate them). The final decision regarding the awarding of honors rests with the entire Theatre Department non-student membership.

To receive regular honors, students must have a cumulative GPA in the major of 3.25. High honors requires a cumulative GPA in the major of 3.5. Highest honors will be given only to those with a cumulative GPA in the major of 3.75 or above.

Theatre Minor

A minor in theatre consists of four non-practica theater courses (16 credits), plus eight credits of practica. One of the non-practica courses must be chosen from the following:

• THEA 203. Technical Production

• THEA 213. Technical Production Lab

or THEA 304. History of the Theater

or THEA 206. Introduction to World Drama

or THEA 309. Performance and Modern Culture

The other three non-practica courses may be chosen from any non-practica theater courses for which the student is eligible.

To satisfy the practica requirement, the student must earn four credits of technical practica. The remaining four credits of practica may be satisfied by earning 4 credits of performance practica or an additional four credits of technical practica.

The Pass/Fail grading option is not acceptable for courses taken to satisfy the six-course theater minor.

Note: Performance practica are numbered THEP 260-266, THEP 360-366 and THEP 460-466. Technical practica are numbered THEP 270-276, 370-376 and 470-476.